Manchester United faces concerns regarding the fitness of goalkeeper Andre Onana, who sustained an injury during Cameroon’s 3-0 victory over Mauritius. Onana left the pitch holding his groin and was replaced by Fabrice Ondoa from Nimes.
Cameroon manager Rigobert Song has not provided an update on Onana’s condition. Onana, who came out of international retirement in September after a disagreement with Song over tactics, is expected to miss the upcoming match against Guinea.
United officials are eager to assess Onana’s fitness, especially with important fixtures against Everton, Galatasaray, Newcastle United, and Chelsea, as well as Bayern Munich and Liverpool in December. If Onana requires time on the sidelines, Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who joined from Fenerbahce in the summer, would likely step into the starting lineup.
In early 2024, Bayindir may have an extended run in the team as Onana is anticipated to join Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations from January 13 to February 11. Previous reports suggested Onana might prioritize helping United regain top form over participating in the tournament.
However, his decision remains uncertain, and if he opts for the Africa Cup of Nations, he could miss crucial games against Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United, and Aston Villa in the Premier League, as well as FA Cup third- and fourth-round clashes. The impact on United’s performance depends on whether Onana chooses national team duty or prioritizes his commitment to the club during this challenging period.
